Colonel-in-Chief of Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry, Madame Adrienne Clarkson, inspects the troop at the 75th Anniversary of the Battle of Kapyong, on April 25 at CFB Shilo, home of 2 PPCLI. (Photo: MCpl Cassidy Moon, DND)
K-J Millar
Shilo Stag Media
More than 200 people attended to hear how the Battle of Kapyong marked heroic actions showing the world that Canada could “win and sacrifice” when Madame Adrienne Clarkson, Colonel-in-Chief of Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry (PPCLI), addressed the crowd during the 75th anniversary at CFB Shilo, home of the Second Battalion, on April 25.
“I would say that the anniversary marks a very important stage in the second half of the 20th century, the way Vimy Ridge captured it for the first half … [It was the] heroic actions of a few people, which managed to show that we could win, that we would be able to sacrifice. But out of that sacrifice would come a real meaning for us and for our country. Kapyong is a very important anniversary for Canadians.”
The Battle of Kapyong is significant for CFB Shilo, with more than 700 members of 2 PPCLI being called up from reserves in Korea alongside the 27th British Commonwealth infantry Brigade to face great adversity on Hill 677, after the South Korean forces were overwhelmed.
During the night of April 23, Australian Forces came under heavy attack, holding out until being forced to withdraw. The retreat left Canadian soldiers exposed, out of food and almost out of ammunition during the battle of 22 April to 25 April 1951. Ten Canadians were killed, and 23 were wounded, during the encounter. The total war loss for Canada during the Korean War was 516 dead.
Madame Clarkson, who was Canada’s 26th Governor General, told Shilo Stag Media that the Battle of Kapyong holds a personal reminiscence in her heart. She told how her oldest and best friend lost her brother, Corporal Alex Gray, in the Battle of Kapyong. She shared in the devastating fallout of a family’s grief in losing their only son in the battle where soldiers of 2 PPCLI defended against more than 5,000 Chinese militants.
“I always remembered the Princess Patricia’s because of that. It has a special personal meaning to me because of the relationship I had. I remember what it did, how their family reacted to that loss … so it’s very meaningful.”
“I think it was a wonderful example of our ability to hold off an enemy attack. The whole of world history would be different had Korea fallen to the communists. It’s a very important moment in our history and in wartime history, and that’s why Kapyong and the Second Battalion of the Princess Patricia’s must always be celebrated. I’m very proud to be their Colonel-in-Chief.
The weekend commemorations began with the Friday evening unveiling of a historic Book of Remembrance sent from Korea. Followed by Saturday morning tours and ammunition equipment demonstrations, concluding with an afternoon parade.
Colonel-in-Chief of Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry, Madame Adrienne Clarkson, speaks with a young cadet at the CFB Shilo 2PPCLI building on April 25 during tours of the facility in commemoration of the 75th Anniversary of the Battle of Kapyong. (Photo: K-J Millar, Shilo Stag News)
A veteran of 2 PPCLI, tried out modern equipment at the tour of the CFB Shilo facilities on April 25 in commemoration of the 75th Anniversary of the Battle of Kapyong. (Photo: K-J Millar, Shilo Stag News)
A veteran of 2 PPCLI, talks to a current member at the tour of the CFB Shilo facilities on April 25 in commemoration of the 75th Anniversary of the Battle of Kapyong. (Photo: K-J Millar, Shilo Stag News)
A group of attendees to the 75th Anniversary of the Battle of Kapyong on April 25 are photographed with Colonel-in-Chief of Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry, Madame Adrienne Clarkson, Canada’s 26th Governor General. (Photo: K-J Millar, Shilo Stag News)
A camouflaged 2PPCLI member shows off a Colt Canada C20 semi-automatic 76 2X51 gas gun at the 75th Anniversary of the Battle of Kapyong on April 25. (Photo: K-J Millar, Shilo Stag News)
Looking down the scope of a Colt Canada C20 semi-automatic 76 2X51 gas gun at the 75th Anniversary of the Battle of Kapyong on April 25. (Photo: K-J Millar, Shilo Stag News)
Veterans of 2 PPCLI march at the dress parade for the 75th Anniversary of the Battle of Kapyong at CFB Silo on April 25. (Photo: MCpl Cassidy Moon, DND)
Colonel-in-Chief of Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry, Madame Adrienne Clarkson, speaks with a soldier at the CFB Shilo 2PPCLI building on April 25 during tours of the facility in commemoration of the 75th Anniversary of the Battle of Kapyong. (Photo: K-J Millar, Shilo Stag News)
